Tuesday, November 21, 2006

NFL Week 12 Rankings: Chargers Back on Top!

Short week! The schedule compresses for teams, pundits and fans alike. So here's this week's power rankings, as usual submitted without comment (because then you can supply yours). Have I overrated the Chargers? Who are your biggest gainers/droppers this week?

you're rankings don't suck as much as normal this week, although I think big d is right, you should still have indy over the patsies; they spanked 'em just a few weeks ago on the road. And I watched the bears-jets game, or at least a lot of it, since it was on the TVs around the steelers game, and they didn't look all that great man (cannot see grossman leading that offense to enough points to overcome in a game that their defense ain't dominatin'). Had they been playing the cowboys, da' bears would have lost this weekend as well.

Not that it matters. I'd say the pathetic D lions deserve 32, for losing to the pathetic cards (you gotta hand it to the raiduhs, they've been competitive the past few weeks; I've been surprised the last two weeks to finally pay attention to the ticker just before halftime and seeing the raiders winning...)

They have beat #2, #6, #13, ON THE ROAD. #9 at home, and lost to #7 close on the road.

Who has San Diego, New England, or Chicago combined beat that is in the top 10?

San Diego beat Denver. that's it.

They have the best record, their one loss is to someone else in the top ten on the road, and they are behind three teams with the same or worse records who have not played anywhere near the same difficulty of schedule.

I'm glad they have playoffs in the NFL. Although I don't understand the Patriots at #2, they have 3 losses, all 3 at home, good thing they'll have to go on the road in the playoffs, if they can get by that home game in the wildcard round.

BREAKING SPORTS NEWS: Twins first baseman Justin Morneau won the American League Most Valuable Player Award today, beating out Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who finished second and third, respectively.

Colts have to be ranked in front of the Pats at least. I can see an argument for them being behind the Chargers and Bears even if I don't agree with it.. but they just BEAT the Pats in FOXBORO. What more evidence do you need???

And lets face it.. the Colt's wanted to lose either last week or this coming week to an NFC team to get the undefeated pressure off of them. If the Colts play the Cowboys 5 weeks straight, they win at least 4 of those games.

Lets also add this about the Chargers. How do you reward a team that has to come back from 3 score deficits every week? You ask me, they are using all their mojo up in the regular season and will get ate up in the playoffs when it really matters.

I feel like I come here now more for the comments than what Dan is posting - He really must of sat down with a list of teams and picked that list in about 5 minutes just randomly...put a little effort into it Dan, Pats above Colts even though Colts beat Pats and have a better record? When your readers are doing more homework than you, you have some problems.

"Hey, when you have to sign Todd Bouman to be your QB, you take any little victory you can get."

As a former WI resident, knowing what the Packers mean to the collective psyche of that state, all I can say is I hope the stores are planning on banning all rope and shotgun shell sales. I already know how they drink, this holiday season could be a doozy if Favre goes down.

I agree with the top 4, maybe not in that order, but they're the best of the best right now.

But one team i want to point out is number 7, yea, the goddamn cowboys. Trust me, I hate them more than you (TO factor), but who would dare want to face them in the playoffs? Romo will be up to speed with the team, TO you know will be ready, and their D stopped Indy.

I'm just saying don't sleep on them just yet, plus they have the chance to get the #2 in the NFC with the G-men falling off.

I'm guessing Dan makes some questionable rankings in order to get more comments. More comments=Higher perceived readership=Money?

Anyway, generik brings up an interesting point. Did the Colts really want to lose that game to take the pressure off? Did Dungy really go into the game wanting to lose rather than win? And, if so, did he talk to Manning about it and tell him to blow the game? Some of those passes looked horrific. Not suggesting a conspiracy but it is rather strange that the best looking team in the NFL lost to the Cowboys and the spread was basically a pick em.

Quick comment on the Colts losing. Does anyone else find it sad that the members of the '72 Dolphins still have a champagne toast when the last team loses? It was 34 freaking years ago. Talk about living in the past, it is almost as bad as the State of Rhode Island still celebrating VJ day(victory over Japan). I'm a Vet and trust me, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day are quite sufficient.

It's just that it's a little pompous. (And that may be the Bear fan in me talking that was devasted that our '85 season didn't go 19-0 instead of 18-1) Cause they definitely had the better team if you want to compare to the '72 dolphins.

The league as you see it today was in it's infancy. I don't think any of us would bat an eye if an MLS team went undefeated, or an AFL team. You can't deny parity builds over time and makes an accomplishment like this seem like a big deal.

There have been other teams (1934 and 1942 Bears for example) that won every game they played.

All that aside, I still think it gets ragged on by the media, and casual sports fan, is because of the their need to grasp onto their attention.

The members of the 2001 Seattle Mariners don't toast every time a team mathematically can't get to 116 wins, etc. the list could go on for whatever record you want to reference.

I think the Colts should be #1. A close road loss and a complete non-call of pass interference on an interception at the goal-line. They got screwed by the refs in that one.

As for San Diego, it is hard to disagree. But 2 weeks in a row they have been down 21 and 17 points. I'll admit the comebacks have been astounding and shows how really good they are. But they need to do that all game, not just when they feel like it. Going down 17 might work two or three times during the regular season, but try pulling that in the playoffs. They might not be able to pull that rabbit out of the hat again.

"Let’s see… they (The Broncos)coughed up a 17-point lead at home, their quarterback is collapsing like his last name is Manning, and they have to play on an extremely short week. This has all the makings of the Broncos landing at about #17 next week."

Im sorry but the chargers at #1 is not right, and the pats at #2 with three home losses, come on!!!! The Colts and Bears are by far #1 and #2, then the Chargers and then the Pats. And when the bears beat the patriots this week and sweep the East, then you will see that they are above the patriots and could be a #1 spot contender...

Connect With Me

Quickish

About This Blog

DanShanoff.com is a sports-blog spin-off of my long-time ESPN.com column, "The Daily Quickie." Anchored by an early-morning post of must-know topics, the blog is updated frequently throughout the day with new posts and user comments.